STEM Ed Announcement: STEM DIGITAL Summer Institute

[Morton Sternheim <mort@k12s.phast.umass.edu>]

This is a STEM ED UMass Amherst program.
Contact information is below
=================

This is a STEM ED UMass Amherst program.
Contact information is below
=================

UMASS STEM DIGITAL SUMMER INSTITUTE

STEM Digital Images in Geoscience Investigations:  Teaching
Analysis with
Light (STEM DIGITAL)


"	Monday to Friday, June 25 - June 29, 2012 at UMass
	Amherst
"	Funded by the National Science Foundation, sponsored by
	the STEM Education Institute
"	Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology
	Teachers
"	Teams of science and computer teachers encouraged
"	Participants MUST bring a digital camera, and are
	strongly encouraged to bring a laptop computer (see note at
	bottom of page)
"	Stipends ($375 summer, $300 for optional school year
	follow-up), materials, parking, lunches
"	Housing for those outside the commuting radius
"	3 to 6 graduate credits available at reduced cost; free
	PDP's (Professional Development Points)

STEM DIGITAL will show how digital image analysis can be applied
to environmental quality issues in ways that can readily be
introduced into STEM courses, engaging students and encouraging
them to think about related careers. The project will develop
research agendas that will employ a variety of image analysis
tools. The air quality theme will focus on the three components
of the atmosphere that primarily affect visible, infrared and
ultraviolet light, respectively: particulates and aerosols,
carbon dioxide, and ozone. The water quality theme will look at
the role of plant biomass on drinking water quality and on global
carbon cycling. Arsenic is listed as number one in the US in
terms of environmental contaminants that pose a potential threat
to human health; research topics will include the identification
and mapping of local arsenic contaminated sites and
bioremediation possibilities. STEM DIGITAL will use the
AnalyzingDigitalImages
software which provides free, easy-to-use tools for spatial,
temporal, spectral, and intensity measurements.

You may choose to also participate in an academic year follow up
and work on approximately six projects spread over the fall and
spring semesters. These will be a combination of new projects,
extensions from summer projects, and data sharing projects. The
timing and content of these projects will be largely decided by
the teachers during the summer workshop to match their curriculum
needs.

Three optional graduate credits will be available for the
institute; the cost will be $300 plus a $45 registration fee.
PDP's will be provided at no cost.  Summer participants will be
required to submit a lesson plan and all accompanying materials
by August 20th . Grades for the course or PDP's will be issued
shortly after that.  Another 3 credits will be available at $345
for the academic year component.

Application process: An application form and additional
information are available at www.umassk12.net/digital. Teachers
should prepare a narrative statement of how they intend to use
the institute materials in their classroom, and include in their
application package a recent resume and a letter of support from
their school principal or superintendent. The application package
can be submitted by email, fax, or US mail. Applications are due
April 1. We will acknowledge receipt of your application within
no more than one week  of receiving it. If you do not hear from
us in that time frame please contact us at: msilver@umassk12.net.
Voice: 413-545-0734

For more information:  www.umassk12.net/digital, fax:
413-545-3697

*Note on cameras and computers: You may bring any digital camera,
* but if you are shopping for one at moderate cost, we suggest
* the Pentax Optio W90, recently $215 on amazon.com. It is
* ruggedly built and has many useful features. You don't need to
* be an expert photographer or computer user, but you should be
* comfortable with both.